Black Phoebe - Rios Pacaure, Costa Rica

[Stephen Stephen]

I created this image while staying at the Rios Tropicales Lodge on the Pacaure River. This Black Phoebe was hunting for insects amongst the boulders near the water's edge. Both it and a Torrent Tyrannulet had built nest directly across the rapids.

Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 50-500mm at 363mm, 1/250 sec, F 7.1, Exposure - Manual, ISO 640

Image cropped to about 45% of full frame. Applied Noise Ninja,

I don't know why I didn't use 500mm or Fill Flash :( but I like the head turn. :)

I decided to leave the tiny fly to the right of the bird.

[Fabs Forns]

Is that a flY? I didn't know what is was :)

Very nice head turn and catch light and also excellent blacks, that could use some more blacks in the body. Not bad for the crop.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Hey Stephen, I agree with your self-critique! Excellent pose on this guy.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Hi Stephen,

Very good pose! The crop is big, but it holds very well! Congrats! :)